Govt committed to protect public life, property: CM

KARACHI - Sind Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah has said that present government is committed to improve the law and order situation and ensure protection of the life and property of people on priority basis. He said that Sindh Government is providing big chunk of additional funds for Police in the 2008-09 budget for this purpose. He was addressing the 22nd Police Passing Out Parade at Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Elite Police Training Centre, Razaqabad here Monday. He expressed satisfaction that keeping the conditions within and without, police commandos have been made an effective force with the provision of modern training. He noted that special training is being provided at this centre to police commandos to cope with cases of kidnappings for ransom, anti - hijacking and suicidal bombings. This training, Chief Minister said, would prove effective in boosting the government's anti-terrorism policy. He described the Centre an institution of pride and trust for Sindh Police and said he has watched the performance and discipline of the jawans trained from this centre very closely and is fully confident that they would always come up to the expectations and confidence of the government and people and keep the flag of Sindh Police high. Qaim Ali Shah hoped that officers and jawans trained from this centre would perform their duties with beefed up zeal and spirit so that people of the province could live their lives in a peaceful environment. He acknowledged that there had been considerable improvement in street crimes specially in Karachi during the last 2 months and said that besides law and order, improvement will also be brought in the living standard and conditions will become further conducive for foreign and local investment. The Chief Minister felicitated the Home Minister and IG Police for bringing significant improvement in the police performance. He announced that recruitment in police against 10,000 vacancies on merit will be completed next month.He informed that Rs 1.50 billion have been earmarked for installation of security cameras in Karachi and detection of criminals while in the interior of Sindh approval has been given to setting up highways patrolling police for security of highways and to check cases of kidnappings for ransom. Syed Qaim Ali Shah disclosed that summary has been approved to bring salaries of Sindh Police atpar with the Punjab Police and an increase in the compensation amount for families Of deceased cops from Rs 3 to Rs 5 lacs. On the occasion, he announced a grant of Rs 5 million for Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Elite Police Training centre and Rs 1000 per month for under training officials and jawans at the centre. Earlier IG Police Dr Suddle presented the welcome address and highlighted the problems of police department. The ceremony was attended by Senior Minister Pir Mazharul Huq, Home Minister Dr Zulfikar Mirza, MPAs and senior officials.